Sunday, April 15, 2018

Hopefully, there comes a time in your career when you’re being considered for a promotion. Sometimes, you know exactly the promotion you want, and you set your sights on it. Other times, you’re offered the chance to interview for a promotion or even told you can move into the position if you want. With any promotion, it’s important to consider whether or not it’s right for you and how you can handle the new position. Here are some considerations to take into account when thinking about a promotion.

You’re comfortable in your current position

For anyone, there comes a time when your current position is comfortable. It’s no longer challenging you, and you’re doing the same thing, week after week. Once you feel this way, it’s a sign it’s time to push yourself more. While you can certainly do that in your same position by taking on more informal responsibility, starting a side project, or improving your performance in some other area, an even better way to achieve a fresh outlook and new skills and experience is through a promotion.

You want more responsibility

Once you become comfortable in your position, it’s totally normal to decide you want more responsibility. You might even feel this way before you’re completely comfortable; maybe you know from the beginning that you want to make a bigger impact on the company than your current position allows. If you’re itching for more responsibility, go ahead and apply for that promotion. Even if the job seems like a lot of responsibility and is daunting in some ways, you’ll benefit from the experience, especially if you’re willing to put the time in and work hard.

It aligns with your long-term goals

If you haven’t considered what your long-term goals are for your career, it’s time to think about it. Where do you want to be in five years? In ten years? If the promotion you’re considering can help you reach that endpoint, take it. Even if it doesn’t seem immediately like it’s connected to your long-term goals, consider a way it could be helpful. Even having the initiative to excel in a higher role can help push you toward what you’re ultimately working for.

You want to stay with the company

Though many younger people do not stay with the same company for the majority of their careers, some want to be a certain place for a few years or spend their entire career in that business. Even a few years at one place can be extremely beneficial. If you’re working somewhere and you see yourself staying for an extended period of time, consider taking the promotion so you can move up in the company and establish yourself. You’ll see a different aspect of the business and interact with people you may not have otherwise. Companies like loyal employees and stepping into a higher position with more responsibility shows you’re devoted to improving the business.

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

When it comes to business negotiations, knowing how to approach them can pose a problem. If you’re not experienced with these types of encounters, you can end up stressing yourself out about it and may dread the encounter altogether. Take a few tips to make the negotiation go more smoothly, and you’ll boost your chances for a successful outcome.

Prepare for the meeting

This means learning everything you can about the other individuals involved in the negotiation. You can start by educating yourself about their business. Look at the company website, read customer reviews, search for news relating to the company, and review the business’s financial history.

Next, research the individual who will be representing that business. You can start with their public profiles on all of the big social media sites, paying particular attention to their LinkedIn page. Search for them on Google, too. Anything you learn may be an advantage in the negotiations and it shows that you’re knowledgeable about who you’re dealing with in this negotiation.

Keep your cool

Negotiations, like any debate, can get heated and frustrating, but try to keep in mind that this is a professional setting. Also, consider that how you interact in this meeting may affect future business dealings. For that reason alone, it’s wise to remain polite and calm, especially when faced with a breakdown in the talks. A level head, capable of rational thought, will serve you much better than losing your temper.

Get a clear understanding of the terms

The best way to improve your chances for a successful negotiation is to go in with a clear picture of the deal’s terms. What is the other side willing to sacrifice? What are they not willing to compromise? Also, analyze each side to determine who has the upper hand and which one of you is depending more on the deal. All of these facts help you develop a strategy for success.

Be firm in what you’re willing to accept

Finally, go into the meeting prepared to walk away without an agreement. Sometimes, the negotiation won’t be in your favor, and you’ll be faced with a tough decision. It may be better to walk away without the deal than to accept terms that you don’t like. Additionally, a firm stance can show an adversary you’re tough and won’t be intimidated.

Negotiations are difficult to handle in most situations. They require the strategic planning of chess and the skill for bluffing of poker. Even then, things may not go your way. By keeping your cool and knowing ahead of time what you’re prepared to lose, you’ll be better equipped for a successful meeting.